Featured Stories

It used to be one the larger GPS markets–maybe the largest at one time–but increased competition and regulatory issues have made recent commercial and consumer marine market growth one of the most perplexing segments in the industry. Although the company has scaled down its GPS product line, Eufala, Ala.-based Techsonic Industries is still marketing its...

Litton Guidance & Control Systems division [LIT] recently won a contract for replacement navigation equipment for the U.K. Royal Navy’s Sea Harrier ship-borne aircraft. The company’s LN-100G INS/GPS product, which features P/Y code GPS, will be installed. Litton, which did not disclose the contract’s value, said the contract calls for 63 units to be delivered...

The first test of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) with GPS guidance apparently was a bust, reports GPNN’s sister publication DEFENSE DAILY. The U.S. Air Force said that the JDAM missile system failed to receive the GPS signal in tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. JDAM, which is manufactured by McDonnell Douglas [MD],...

Henniker, N.H.-based MPN Components Inc.’s new GPS Pro Map features software from Blue Marble Geographics. The unit is compatible with most GPS handheld receivers for office or field mapping applications, the company said. (Gene Roe, MPN Components, 888/477-7761.)

The Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association’s (CEMA) 1997 International Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will feature an ITS pavilion. The Winter CES show will be Jan. 9-12 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. In the past, several vehicle navigation units have been launched at the show. This year, two manufacturers have indicated they may introduce...

Alexandria, Va.-based Institute of Navigation’s (ION) National Technical Meeting will be Jan. 14-16 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. Topics include the Wide Area Augmentation System, Local Area Augmentation System, Inertial and Integrated Navigation Systems, GLONASS update and international developments. (Lisa Beatty, ION, 703/683-7101.)

Chicago-based Global Technology Communications Inc.’s "Navigating Your Way to Profits Through GPS-Wireless Integration" will be March 19-20 in Chicago. Topics include new markets and applica tions, service providers, who will be buying positioning and navigation equipment and why, GPS-wireless integration opportunities, niche integration markets, market entry requirements and creating standards. (Sherman Leibow, GTCI, 312/664-6868; 312/664-2121,...

Smiths Industries Aerospace recorded a 12 percent increase in profits for the fiscal year that ended in August. The company recorded profits of $70.2 million on sales of $584.5 million for the year. (Jennifer Villarreal, Smiths Industries Aerospace, 616/241-8643.)

Rockwell International‘s [ROK] new Collins Flight2 Systems product line provides autonomous traffic capability, weather and terrain awareness, seamless navigation and guidance from take off to landing for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, the company said. Other features include impromptu flight planning capability, fusion of flight sensor information and digital automatic communications. (Jim Thebeau, Rockwell, 703/683-7101, 319/295-5775.)

Racal Avionics‘s contract to upgrade all of the Royal Navy’s front-line helicopters with GPS has increased in value, the company said. The new contract will make the total contract worth more than $27 million, which is the largest in the company’s history. (Nick West, Racal Avionics, 01344/388065.)